Mpox crisis deepens: 18 African nations in urgent battle
Up to 18 out of 55 African countries are currently struggling with the mpox viral disease. Official statistics indicate that monkeypox has resulted in the death of over a thousand people. Unfortunately, even widespread vaccinations are not helping to improve the situation.
The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that since January, a total of 42,000 cases of monkeypox have been registered in Africa. Last week, mpox infections were reported in Zambia and Zimbabwe for the first time.
This year, mpox has been officially detected in 18 out of 55 African countries.
"Eighteen countries is too much, we cannot continue like that. As highlighted this week, in week 40, we have reported a total of 1,100 deaths," said Jean Kaseya, head of the African CDC.
He also called on international partners to immediately release the funds promised to combat the epidemic.
"Mpox will spiral out of control if we do not take action," he warned.
Monkeypox strikes: Where deaths are most frequent
The majority of deaths caused by mpox have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicentre of the epidemic, where a vaccination campaign was launched at the beginning of this month.
Kaseya reported that across the continent, "new cases continue to arise week after week".
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral disease. It is transmitted from animals to humans and is also spread between humans during prolonged physical contact. It causes fever, muscle aches, and skin lesions.
